viernes, 27 de junio de 2008

The new master GPS file ...



A link to a master GPS file by my Canadian friend Jan, a lot of work has been put on this file, I hope everybody can put it to good use.

Thanks again Jan for your hard work.

Link to Jan's Master GPS File

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The trip to the long lost Chilean Ship Part V

About the last thing that I expected to find there was people, somebody watched over the ship for a few years but it was gone a long time ago, so we were surprised when we found and old Volkswagen beetle straight out of Mad Max at the ship, turns out some enterprising fisherman were trying to get steel off the ship to sell at Topolobampo, and had crossed the car in a small boat to help them carry the load.





We happily accepted a ride aboard the bettle thinking how improbable was that we could hitch a ride in an uninhibited Island in the middle of nowhere. It was the right decision because the tide was moving up and the place where we left the car could get hard to access at high tide. We crossed back the dunes, hop on the kayaks (It tried to bail out by then, but my son wouldn't have any of it) after a while we where at the car licking my wounds (And pride) But happy.



Overall a very nice day trip to a surprisingly remote but close place.

Saludos

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jueves, 26 de junio de 2008

The trip to the long lost Chilean Ship Part IV

Yep, that dot its the ship, so we walked ...



and walked ....



and walked ....



The ship only grew bigger after a while, but still unreachable ...



And then, Success ...



The proud and run down father ...

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The trip to the long lost Chilean Ship Part III

Once at the planned crossing point we unloaded the Kayaks, of course, the small canal turned out to be a mile long, but well, who is counting ....



Getting ready to leave, the no turning back point.




After fighting some wind and currents, we made it to the other side, hid the kayaks in the bush and proceed to cross the dunes, not so nice at 104 degrees..

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lunes, 23 de junio de 2008

The trip to the long lost Chilean Ship Part II

About the only way to get there is to grab a small boat and just go there, but I have always envisioned a better plan, hop aboard my Cherokee, ask for permission to go across a big piece of desert land called "El Guachapori", jump across the small canals dividing the island in kayaks, across half a mile of BIG dunes and walk 3 or 4 miles of virgin beach.

So off we go to our destiny.

Crossing El Guachapori, by the high dirtroad.



The Jr. with its attitude shot. Way in the back you can see the ship.





Getting closer to our crossing point.

The trip to the long lost Chilean Ship Part I

A long, long time ago, a hurricane brought to the northern beaches of Santa Maria Island in Sinaloa a big ship, somehow it avoided all the nearby sandbars and landed in a truly remote spot in the Island. Back then, a trip was planned and we arrived by boat to the ship around 1978-1979.

Since then, I see the ship by airplane or on Google maps on occasion, even tried to put together a group to go there last year without success.

So, last week my son and I decided to repeat the 30 year old trip, but this time the hard way. (Stealing somebody else words, by the road less taken.)


A general area map, the ship lays on the northern part of the island.




The big ship as seen from the sea.


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lunes, 16 de junio de 2008

The deep canyons, Batopilas, Chihuahua



If you want a history rich, middle of nowhere mining town, Batopilas is it, established by Spanish conquistadors in 1632 as a center for silver mining on the region, eventually more than 350 claims where made, became famous after former Washington, DC governor Alexander Robey Shepard arrived in 1875 and bought the San Miguel Claim which helped Batopilas had some strange records like the first city in Latin America with hydroelectric power and local telephone (It took until 1995 to have outside telephone service), Abandoned mansions tell of the region bonanza, now only about 2,000 people live in its surroundings.

For a great history of this riverside town please check Batopilas page at Mexico Horse

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miƩrcoles, 11 de junio de 2008

So you wanna cross the Canyons in style ???



A while back I came in contact with Alex Lockhart, just your normal guy who decided to take a 5,000 mile bike trip and while he was at it, cross Copper Canyon like a real man...

He went down to Batopilas, back up to Creel and ended up crossing to Baja via the Guaymas ferry.

If you have some time and wanna read an exceptional journey take a look at The Vagaries of the Road, an honest and direct take on a solo trip.

Link to the Chihuahua crossing.


Enjoy

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martes, 10 de junio de 2008

Slowly gettin back in track ...

After what seems like an eternity, I am finally getting back on track and hopefully getting the blog the right attention.

A lot has happened in the last few months in the region, most notably its the increased security issues due to the increased Government - Drug lords wars. Seems this time its for real, at least I don't remember nothing as violent since Operacion Aguila in the late 70's.

What does it mean to us? I do think that in the long run it's good, the sierras are getting way more government presence and that its making all the growers and dealers either hide or move to another region, but (There is always a but), in the meanwhile its easy to get in the middle of the confrontation.

There hasn't been any tourist problems yet, just use common sense and be cautions at night, regular advice for Mexican back roads travel

Earlier in the season we decided to step back a little on the summer trips, but seeing recent developments, its a go for us. we are just waiting for the rain season to start to go and spend a few nice rainy afternoons in the mountains.

Saludos